Julie Mossberg Movies

Former Late Night With Conan O'Brien sidekick Andy Richter went solo in this (literally) imaginative Fox Network sitcom. Richter was cast as "himself," a would-be fiction writer trapped in a humdrum office job. Dissatisfied with the goings-on at the workplace and the behavior of his coworkers, Andy (who narrated each episode) frequently took refuge within the confines of his own imagination, thereby "controlling" situations over which he would otherwise have no control, and determining the outcome via Rashomon-like reworkings of the events of the day. Others in the cast included Irene Molloy as Wendy the receptionist, for whom Andy quietly carried a torch; James Patrick Stuart as Andy's best friend Keith; Paget Brewster as his boss Jessica; and Jonathan Slavin as rival coworker Byron. Andy Richter Controls the Universe debuted March 19, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The close bond between a single mother and her teenage daughter is often tested in this dramatic television series. Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) became pregnant at 16, and, against the wishes of her mother and father (Edward Herrmann and Kelly Bishop), chose to keep the child and raise it on her own. Sixteen years later, Lorelai enjoys a warm relationship with her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), but as Rory suffers the growing pains of being a teenager, Lorelai finds it's hard to be both mother and best friend. Lorelai also has to contend with her own parents, who still believe they know what's best for both Lorelai and Rory. Created as part of an initiative to bring more family-friendly drama to American television, Gilmore Girls debuted on the WB network on October 5, 2000; singer/songwriter Sam Phillips contributed music to the series. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This TV sitcom is premised on the notion that men are inept at parenthood. The storyline focuses on upper-middle-class father Gordon Stiles (Jon Patrick Walker), left to take care of six-month-old Daniel after his wife runs off with another guy. His brother, actor Jimmy (Eddie McClintock) resides at the same address but is more interested in the pediatrician than the baby. With no nanny in sight, Gordon takes Daniel to his workplace, run by boss Stan Peterson (Ron Liebman). When Kelly (Jennifer Westfeldt) interviews for the firm's receptionist job, Gordon quickly realizes he's found his much-needed nanny. Taped in LA, this series premiered August 23, 1998 on Fox. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

In this black comedy, elderly Jack Scanlan (Jack Warden) passes away just as he's about to tell his oldest son Johnny (Bob Hoskins) what he's decided is truly important in life, which does little to ease Johnny's mid-life anxieties. Jack's funeral and the subsequent wake brings together the various members of the Scanlan Family, most of whom are having troubles of their own. Johnny's mother Mary (Maureen Stapleton) is not dealing well with losing her husband. His brother Frank (William Petersen), a would-be union delegate, has a nagging wife, Denise (Debra Rush), and a pregnant daughter, Rachel (Teri Polo). His sister Nora (Frances McDormand) is a leftist nun who has brought along a guest, a South American dissident wanted by the INS. Terry (Pamela Reed) is splitting up with her husband Boyd (Tim Curry) after finally realizing that he's gay. And Johnny is thinking of quitting his job and leaving his wife Amy (Blair Brown), which makes the mysterious Cassie (Nancy Travis) seem all the more attractive. Passed Away marked the directorial debut of successful screenwriter Charlie Peters. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Dead Poets Society and Die Hard bash heads in this action drama set in a Northeastern prep school. The film opens as a crazed Central American terrorist, Luis Cali (Andrew Divoff), goes on a shooting spree, attempting to gain his drug baron father's release from extradition to the United States. The following sequence introduces some malcontented rich kids from the prep school --Joey Trotta (Wil Wheaton), the son of a New Jersey mob leader; Billy Tepper (Sean Astin), a reprobate who has been to four boarding schools in as many years; Snuffy Bradbury (Keith Coogan), whose rich banker father is the chairman of the Republican Party; Ricardo Montoya (George Perez), the son of a big-shot lawyer; and Hank Giles (T.E. Russell), whose father is the head of the House Armed Services Committee. The boys disregard their studies and spend their waking hours giving Dean Parker (Louis Gossett Jr.) a hard time. The two storylines collide when Luis, with a group of terrorist goons, make their way across the U.S. border and invade the boarding school, planning to take hostage the son of his father's judge. But the authorities have already removed the boy from danger, so Luis and the terrorists decide to hold the entire student body hostage until their demands are met. Working with the FBI and the special government forces, the rebellious groups of boys have to devise a plan to short-circuit the hostage situation. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi